Glossary of Words and Terms for Jewish Living

Judaism is more than just a religion: it’s a culture, a language, a way of life. And, integrated fully into these Jewish traditions are unique words and sayings. Though words may have different roots or origins (Hebrew, Yiddish, German), their meanings are universal throughout the Jewish community. This glossary introduces some of the more common sayings appropriate for lifestyle and holiday events.

Shehecheyanu – Literally: “[God] who has kept us alive”.This is the blessing for beginnings, happy occasions. It is also said at candle-lighting, Kiddush, and at certain other specific times during festival observance.

BIRTH

B’rit Milah – Covenant of circumcision, traditionally performed on the eighth day of a boy’s life.

Mohel – Highly skilled ritual circumciser.

Kvater/Kvaterin– Godfather/Godmother: those who carry the baby into the b’rit ceremony

Sandak – Person who holds the baby during the ceremony.

Seudat Mitzvah – A festive meal which honors the observance of a mitzvah.

Mi Sheberach – Literally: “May the One who blessed”. A prayer usually, but not solely, recited after a person has been honored with a Torah blessing. There are various forms of this prayer, one of which is used to name a child.

B’rit HaChayim – Literally: “covenant of life”. A home ceremony for the naming of baby girls.

Pidyon Haben/Habat – Literally: “redemption of the (first-born) son/daughter.”Home ceremony which takes place on the thirty-first day of a child’s life.

Kiddush Pe’ter Rechem – Modern ceremony celebrating the birth of the first child.

Ken Ayin Hara (Kinna Hurra) – Literally: “against the evil eye.”

CHANUKAH

Chanukah – Literally: dedication.

Chanukat HaBayit – Literally: dedication of the house.Ceremonial hanging of the mezuzah.

Menorah – Seven- or eight-branched candelabra. Most commonly used to refer to the eight-branched Chanukah lamp.

Chanukiah – Eight-branched Chanukah menorah.

Gelt – Yiddish word for “money”; given as a Chanukah present, used for playing dreidel.

Dreidel – Yiddish for “top”; used in Chanukah game. Known in Hebrew as “sevivon“.

Nes Gadol Hayah Sham – Literally: “A great miracle happened there.”First letters of these four words are found on the dreidel.

Haftarah – Selection from the Prophets read or chanted after the weekly Torah portion.

Talit (Talis) – Prayer shawl.

Hebrew School – After-school Hebrew classes.

Sunday School – Classes in history, customs, and ceremonies.

Religious School – Term that includes both Sunday school and Hebrew school, though in some synagogues it refers to only Sunday school. Sometimes Religious school is referred to as Torah school.

Cheder – Old-fashioned term for Hebrew school. In Eastern Europe, it was the primary school.

Shabbaton (pl. Shabbatonim) – A Sabbath program of study and celebration.

Kallah (pl. Kallot) – A conclave or retreat.

Chavurah (pl. Chavurot) – Informal group which meets together for study and celebration.

Ulpan (pl. Ulpanim) – Intensive Hebrew course.

MARRIAGE & HOME

Kiddushin – Marriage.

Ketubah (pl. Ketubot) – Marriage contract.

Chatan – Groom.

Kalah – Bride.

Chuppah – Canopy; it can be a talit, velvet or silk canopy, or floral arrangement.

Ring – Traditionally it is solid, without stones.

“Harei at mekudeshet li betaba’at zo kedat Mosheh v’Yisrael”– Literally: “Behold you are consecrated unto me, with this ring, according to the Law of Moses and Israel.” This is the Hebrew nuptial formula.

Seder – Literally: order; refers to program of prayers and rituals for the home celebration.

Haggadah (pl. Haggadot) – Literally: telling.It is our duty to tell the story of Passover, particularly to the children.

Matzah – The unleavened bread eaten in recollection of the hurried departure from Egypt. The eating of matzah is obligatory only at the seder. During the rest of Pesach, one may abstain from matzah as long as all chamets is avoided.

Chamets – Leavened bread and anything made with wheat, rye, barley, oats, and spelt unless supervised to ensure that it has not leavened.

The Four Cups – Each has a specific place in the service. The first serves as the Kiddush; the second is taken at the conclusion of the first part of the seder; the third is the cup marking the conclusion of the grace after the meal; the fourth cup comes at the conclusion of the seder. The four cups are said to refer to the promises of redemption made by God to Israel.

The Four Questions – Questions asked at the seder. The answers to the questions form the rest of the Haggadah.

The Cup of Elijah – Elijah is the herald of the Messianic Era when justice and peace will be realized.

Karpas – A green herb such as parsley or a green vegetable such as celery or watercress. It symbolizes spring.

Maror – The bitter herbs such as horseradish symbolizing the bitter plight of the enslaved Israelites.

Charoset – A mixture of fruits, nuts, and wine. Its color and consistency is a reminder of the bricks and mortar used by the Israelite slaves.

Shank Bone – Symbolic of the paschal sacrifice.

Egg – Represents the additional Passover festive offering, the “chagigah,” in the Temple.

Afikoman – A Greek word meaning “dessert.” We make the matzah the official dessert of the seder meal. To keep the children alert during the seder, the afikoman is hidden. The children find it and the leader of the seder must redeem it.

Opening the Door – We open the door to welcome symbolically the prophet Elijah.